The potential administration of the endectocide drug ivermectin to control malaria transmission is gaining increased attention from the scientific community. This deep dive aims to describe the landscape of current research projects tackling ivermectin for vector control, with a focus on malaria vectors, through the creation of a comprehensive database of the current research activities.

In order to eliminate malaria from endemic settings an integrated vector management (IVM) approach is needed and to tackle residual transmission, there is a need to develop additional vector control strategies that complement Long Lasting Insecticide Nets (LLINs) and Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) by targeting mosquitoes that feed or rest outdoors. This deep dive aims to describe the landscape of current research projects relevant to ATSB and other innovative traps and baits for mosquito control, with a focus on malaria vectors.

Mass Drug Administration (MDA), defined by WHO as the administration of antimalarial treatment to all age groups of a defined population or every person living in a defined geographical area (except those for whom the medicine is contraindicated) at approximately the same time and often at repeated intervals, has been historically a key component of malaria control and elimination strategies. With the aim of facilitating the discussions at the Evidence Review Group (ERG) on MDA for malaria held in September 2018, this deep dive compiles the landscape of recent and ongoing research in antimalarial MDA and provides an overview of the projects’ main characteristics. 

Plasmodium knowlesi is the fifth species that can cause malaria in humans and was declared an emerging public health threat in 2004. Currently, this species still holds many unanswered questions, such as its transmission mechanism or its complete geographic distribution; threatening the effectiveness of malaria control and elimination strategies. This deep dive aims to describe the landscape of current research in P. knowlesi.

Recently, next-generation ultrasensitive rapid diagnostic tests (uRDTs) for Plasmodium falciparum have become commercially available. This deep dive aims to review the current landscape of research in highly-sensitive point of care tests by systematically collecting data of funded and current research projects.

Border malaria is defined as the malaria transmission or potential for transmission that takes place across or along borders between countries sharing a land border and is frequently cited as a challenge to malaria elimination. This deep dive aims to review ongoing and closed projects that identify work on some aspect of border malaria.